The Empress remained calm and did not soothe everyone with gentle words; she merely said calmly, "There’s no need to worry; the Emperor will make it back in time. The rebels cannot enter Zhaoyang Palace, so eat and sleep as usual."
Everyone looked at the Empress’s calm face and inexplicably felt much more at ease.
Though the Empress said to eat and sleep as usual, not a single person could actually sleep or eat. Oh, except for Concubine Rong, who was idly munching away.
The sound of fighting outside faintly wafted in; Concubine Xian was restless, and Concubine Mei was also frowning continuously.
Even the Empress Dowager was nervously chanting prayers.
Though there was the sound of fighting, the gate to Zhaoyang Palace remained undisturbed, without any sounds of smashing against the door.
The sky gradually grew light, and the Empress slowly stood up from her seat and walked outside.
"Empress, where are you going?" The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and looked at the Empress’s back.
"To greet the Emperor. The Emperor has returned," Tianmiao smiled.
Everyone in the great hall stood up, faces full of surprise and delight.
Tianmiao slowly walked towards the gate. In the garden, the white peacock shook its feathers and paced moodily. Last night was too noisy, and it hadn’t slept well.
"Open the gate," the Empress said softly.
"But, I don’t seem to hear anything outside. Has the Emperor really arrived?" The Empress Dowager questioned behind the Empress.
Not yet, but soon.
Tianmiao nodded, "Don’t worry."
The gate slowly opened, revealing a somewhat frail figure of a Palace Maid. She turned slowly, her gaze bright and her expression steady. In front of her lay countless felled rebels, piled up into a small hill.
A single warrior holding the pass, thousands cannot cross.
This phrase suddenly popped into Concubine Xian’s mind. Kong Hou alone guarded the gate but managed to fend off so many rebels.
"Kong Hou, it’s been hard on you," Tianmiao said with a soft smile.
"Not hard at all," Kong Hou grinned, "These rebels are like weaklings; I could take ten down with one punch."
Everyone behind the Empress gasped. The doubts they had were confirmed by the conversation between the Empress and Kong Hou. All these rebels were actually defeated by this Palace Maid named Kong Hou; had she guarded them for an entire night?
"Empress, your Palace Maid is truly unbelievable," the Empress Dowager said excitedly; such a brave woman was unprecedented, like a mythical figure.
The Empress did not respond to the Empress Dowager but instead looked ahead, where the Emperor led his group in.
"Empress! Empress Dowager!" The Emperor, clad in armor, initially wore a face full of anxiety, but upon seeing the safe Empress and the Empress Dowager beside her, a smile appeared. He tossed his Longsword to someone nearby, suppressed the urge to embrace the Empress, and respectfully saluted the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, it was late for my rescue."
"It’s okay, we’re all fine. Thanks to having a good Empress," the Empress Dowager helped the Emperor up and exclaimed as she assessed him, "You’re injured?"
"No, it’s not mine; it’s someone else’s blood," the Emperor shook his head, reassuringly clasping the Empress Dowager’s hand, "Don’t worry, Empress Dowager, it’s all over; the rebels have been completely wiped out, and the tenth Prince has committed suicide in repentance."
"I’m glad; I’m glad it’s over," the Empress Dowager patted the Emperor’s hand gently, "You must reward the Empress well this time; look, the inner palace is intact, all thanks to her. And her Chief Palace Maid, Kong Hou, she guarded us all night."